“It seems ironic that the class of individuals who created the pension crisis in this state — that is, politicians — are still enjoying the generous pensions anyone’s seen,” Better Government Association Executive Director Andy Shaw says.

He says the biggest payouts “far exceed most of those in the private sector.”

But don’t think it’s only the best known retired public officials who are among the best paid.

Do you know Art Berman? The former state senator and education official receives $203,000 each year and has already collected $1.6 million.

Bill Zettler of the Family Taxpayer Foundation studied the pension payouts and turned his findings over to the BGA.

“They only have to work 20 years to get 85 percent of their salary for life. That’s lot of money,” he says.